Penguins/NHL
Penguins bolster Next Wave of Prospect Group
The Penguins signing of top NCAA scorer Zach Aston-Reese is being looked at around the league as the rich getting richer. Aston-Reese is not regarded by scouts as the type of blue chip college prospect Jimmy Vesey was seen as last year, but the general consensus from scouts is Aston-Reese has a chance to be a productive bottom-6 NHL player.
Aston-Reese, 22, led the NCAA this past season with 63 points (31G-32A) and had 31 goals in just 38 games. In four years at Northeastern, Reese has 148 points (66G-82A) in 145 contests. A Hobey Baker Award finalist, Aston-Reese posted a 20 point improvement in points this past season, going from 43 to 63.
The significance for the Penguins is this:
Multiple agents (while officially representatives for college players) contend the Penguins have become a top destination for college free agents, a drastic turn from a few seasons ago.
And it really has nothing to do with the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup last spring.
It’s because of the development of key players like Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, Scott Wilson, Jake Guentzel, among others, and how good of a system the Penguins have setup in Wilkes Barre where as a forward you’re not only in good hands with a very good coaching staff down there to develop the right way, but you have individuals in Bill Guerin and Mark Recchi to learn from that puts you in the best position to get to the next level. It doesn’t get much better than it.
Guerin and Recchi were two key components in the recruitment in landing Aston-Reese. As mentioned a few months ago, Guerin’s stock as an eventual top GM candidate continues to rise around the league for his ability to evaluate talent and develop young players, multiple NHL sources say.
Agents are always advising players in situations like Aston-Reese was in to have their eye on what the best situation will be development wise that maximizes the players’ potential on a second, third contract. Pittsburgh has suddenly become that destination in the mold of how the Blackhawks and Rangers have been viewed.
Despite the gaudy offensive numbers from Aston-Reese, scouts don’t see those numbers translating to the NHL and feel he’s not a good enough skater to be able to create his own shot consistently enough.
But, the tools are there to have a good NHL career as a bottom-6 player who could be a factor on the power play as a net-front player.
What the Penguins like about Aston-Reese is the 200ft game and the snarl he plays with below the dots. He’s heavy on pucks, a tenacious fore-checker, has some Patric Hornqvist type traits in how he competes in around the net. Scores a lot of goals off tip-ins, rebounds and in the slot. Plays much bigger than his 6-foot-0, 205-pound frame.
“The foundation to play in the National Hockey League is there,” a scout said of Aston-Reese.
Another evaluator called Aston-Reese a classic LA Kings type player, in how heavy of a game he plays, but felt he still has a chance to be a fit in the Penguins system.
For the Penguins they continue to set themselves up extremely well to plug in cheap labor around their high salary players for the next several years.
The next Wave of Prospects who will be pushing for regular NHL roles over the next 1-2 years is headlined by Daniel Sprong who has top-6 ability, and also includes a group of mostly bottom-6 type prospects the Penguins feel could compete for roles, including Oskar Sundqvist, Zach Aston-Reese, Josh Archibald, Thomas DiPauli, Teddy Blueger, and Dominik Simon.
Sprong who is tearing up the QMJHL as an overaged player, he has all the tools offensively to be a top-6/top-9 talent and also carries high trade value.
The rest of the group will give the Penguins options to plug spots if needed over the next year or so.
Doing some surveying of that group, Aston-Reese may have the most upside of Sundqvist, Archibald, DiPauli, Blueger, and Simon in the feedback I’ve received because of how well he can play without the puck and be a force in the dirty areas.
— For now, 2013 6th round pick Blaine Byron who had a strong season at Maine with 41 points in 36 games, does not intend to sign with the Penguins. The talk is Byron intends to sign with the New Jersey Devils.
— The Penguins are planning to put the full-court press [hide] to sign 2013 7th round pick Jeff Taylor. The puck moving defenseman who is regarded by the organization as a top-10 prospect in their system, has 32 points and +17 rating in 36 games for Union. Pittsburgh tried to get Taylor to turn pro after last season. If Taylor opted to go to free agency, he would be one of the most highly sought after players.
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Early first period goals… ugh, thanks Murray
That a boy…. I was worried about someone stepping up with Geno out, looks like Thrill Kessel recognized someone needs to do it
Holy fuckk Murray… think this guy will make a save here?
Maybe Sid can use the lack of two defenders to show up
There ya go Sid… power play specialist needs 5-3 pp to score!
No Malkin… Sid better step up
#holiday
Ah must be on his annual vacation same was right once again he fakes one injury around all star games and trade deadline time and the other one about 10 games left to season and starts in playoffs just like last year and bam there he is on his average 20 game absence a year
Typical con artists loved by stain
I think the same thing about sid – annual “holiday.” He’s playing so bad Sam can’t even pretend he’s doing “the little things” with his 43% FO percentage. That’s okay – it’s only been a month now – he must think it’s November of 2015. Which is probably easy for him since his brain is scrambled eggs.
What a rotten thing to say
11 goals in 14 games… he has been carrying this team. Maybe he injured his back due to the weight of carrying the “leagues best player”. You’re such an idiot… #SnowFrogfromFakeCanada
I love when the critique is “just like last year…” when they won a stanley cup – something montreal hasn’t done since before sam had to make a conscious decision not to wash himself or use deodorant.
I love how when Letang misses a lot of time he sees how bad the team misses him but when Malkin does it hes a fraud and a con artist. Basically if the player flies MY flag sam wants to fucken blow him all critique be damned. #SnowFrogfromFakeCanada
f all these god damned injuries
Any sign of Yoda?
He’s probably avoiding the site the way you avoided NPL’s comparison a few posts ago. Everyone knows how the two of you do.
I see sam used both of his accounts to “thumbs down” me.
Sam, why are you scared to address thepost? Act like you’re American for 5 minutes and don’t be a coward.
McDavid with another 3 last night. Would be cool if Sid would show up and get back into this race…
I’ve given up on that. He’s been off for a month now. HOLIDAY.
Hey npl I know you Enjoyed posting 7-2 leafs losing to Panthers the other night but can you also post how did your Tampax do tonight vs leafs. Apparently it was invaded with leafs fans in Tampax
I think sam is afraid to guess.
Clams can velvet carnivorous can Jesus!
Your crotchety vaglna would prefer a Leaf over Tampax
Guess which player makes over 10M per year…
Player A: 18g – 31a – .82 ppg – 60gp
Player B: 20g – 23a – .88 ppg – 49gp
To help, here are the even strength numbers…
Player A: 12g – 23a – .58ppg – 60gp
Player B: 19g – 21a – .82ppg – 49gp
Player A is Canadian fraud, Jonathan Toews.
Player B is hard working American talent Conor Sheary.
But what are Player A’s Intangibles/60?
Is he french canadian? Because his odor would be an intangible.
Anyone know if Sid is supposed to be back tomorrow?
If the two draftees don’t sign with the Pens, is there any organizationalm compensation from anyone???
So what is the expected ETA for a kid like this… Last few seasons the names like Hayes and Vesey have been added to a roster and have had some early impact. Are we expecting the team to see Reese fill a spot next season? What impact will this have on some pending RFA and UFA contracts? Sheary specifically? There seems to be at least 16 Million coming off the books next year… Maatta’s 4.1 million could be exposed at the deadline which would put them over 20MM. Sheary and Schultz will be getting raises… maybe enough to eat half… Read more »
I don’t think Cullen will be back same goes for kunitz unless kunitz plays lesser role for 1m which it is doable but don’t think at that point he would have A roster spot for him
That was the point of my post… Kunitz is part of the 16 million. With Guetzel emerging, Sprong looking like he is ready for the next step while he makes other juniors look like Tom Thumb players and then the addition of Reese what would it mean for Kunitz? He doesnt look like he is ready to retire but it’s hard to imagine the team lets him walk. They may give him a Cullen type deal… does the addition of this kid impact that. I wanna hear from D and his insiders on this not the same fan speculation that… Read more »
I know kunitz would take Cullen type deal but where can they plug him with all these players coming up is there spot left for him I think he still has 1 more year left in his tank but not with this organization unless they keep a young players down for 1 more season as respect for kunitz which I doubt it
You know! How do you know chubbster? #sameknew
Sheary is probably looking at 4+. Dumo is a little bit of mystery. I don’t think he’s had the greatest year and he’s a zero offensively. I’d bet they’re already counting on Sprong making the club.
This summer is going to be interesting. We might need to look for a 3rd line center ’cause Sundqvist probably isn’t ready for that role. I wonder what type of offers Bones is going to get on the open market?
As much as I’m a huge fan of Sheary I’m telling his agent bridge… 2 years 3-3.75 max. We can talk big dollars then if it’s still on the table because he’s still earning it
Bridge contract 2-3 years at 3.75 max makes sense and after that If he plays good those 2-3 years then give him max 5m. Like kunitz and duper he should know he has the privilege playing with sid and won’t be worth more elsewhere and stick here. But all the is long project to see how he is for next few years
Considering his point total, if Sheary develops Toews-like leadership, he could get 11m annually.
Dude just stop it for the night and come back in April
Your comments are making 0 sense but props finally after all those years here you are starting to try to talk hockey even tho it still doesn’t make sense but it’s a start
This is high praise coming from you. Thanks weirdo.
No problem Fatso
I’m sorry but while it’s a no brainer that Playing with Sid doesn’t hurt the guy is pacing over 70 points over a full season. If people believe this production would fall to like 30 or less without Sid they are grossly overstating the impact. Stan was spot on explaining that Kunitz basically did the same things next to Sid outside a couple seasons as he did with Getzlaf and McDonald. Sheary is capable period! Is he a true top 3? Maybe not but he’s an easy productive top 9 with top 6 peak!
That I agree with you zero
I think Hagelin’s situation is just as interesting as Maatta’s, especially if Guentzel stays on the wing as expected. With Guentzel, Sheary, Hornqvist, Kessel, Sprong, and Rust in the top 9, Hagelin becomes a very expensive 4th liner at 4M. If space is needed, the only other reasonable move would be to trade 30 year old Hornqvist entering last year of deal.
Smart move dummy let’s trade pens most important top 6 guy Hornqvist. I don’t know if you noticed since Hornqvist is down pens attacked haven’t been same but obviously you don’t see that way because all it matters for u is points the little things you don’t see because your brain doesn’t catch it all same goes for your partner shittStain that’s why he wants sid traded
Hornqvist’s style of play will shorten his career and there is no chance the Pens resign him to a long term deal. Unless hes willing to accept a 1-2 year deal, next year would most likely be his last with the Pens. So why not trade him if you can get a solid return? If Chicago agreed to eat $7m per year, id trade Hornqvist to them for Toews and get a top 3rd line center to replace Bonino.
And having chubby here long term is the key his style won’t be good to in a few years
You just had no idea what to say here, did you?
I’d love to keep Hornqvist awhile longer, with his conditioning I think is worth a three year deal as long as it’s affordable. Holmstrom played a similar game and broke down a little later, he wasn’t half the athlete. I get what you’re saying though, even the three year comes with risk. I’d be willing to chance it for the right price.
Look and kunitz he is 37 and still playing and agree about the holmstrom. I was just about to post about holmstrom you beat me on that one
Dude, weve all wanted Kunitz’s contract off this team since the day he signed it. Thanks for supporting my argument.
Kunitz was well worth his contract here on Pittsburgh except this season which I’m okay with it
Well, as long as you are.
He wasn’t great last year either…
Do you think the breakdown wasn’t noticeable because he was half the athlete?
Or he was 34 before he really started to miss “significant” although he bounced back later at that… in fact at 33 he set career high in goals.
Im saying, if he was half the athlete, he was used to getting by with less.
I can’t think of three more important too 6 guys. Just off of the top of my head.
Nice English, that was painful to read. Painful.
So late on this article..BOOOOORING